Cool Adult Things to Do in Las Vegas

If you need a break from the Strip or just need a complete golf weekend, there's no better way than booking a Vegas golf package. There are numerous packages offered to hotel guests, but none better than the one at the Mirage. Their package offers 20 percent off regular room rates and 40 percent off regular greens fees at three of the best public courses in the area, Bali Hali, Desert Pines and Royal Links. Stay on the Strip at night and play one of these courses during the day. Bali Hali offers a tropical paradise from tee to green, with more than 100,000 tropical plants and the fairways are peppered with palm trees. Desert Pines has more than 4,500 pine trees for a Pinehurst-type of feel, while Royal Links plays like a British Open course. Other popular golf packages include those at the Wynn Hotel & Golf Club and the JW Marriott and TPC Las Vegas.

You're in Vegas to gamble, so go ahead and do it. There are plenty of sports books to place wagers, with the most popular being at Bally's, MGM and the Mirage. The Bellagio sports book, though, has the most comfortable seats (leather recliners). The most popular golf events to bet on, of course, are the four majors along with the Ryder Cup, which happens every two years. The most popular bets to make are single players to win each tournament, i.e., Tiger Woods 3-2 odds to win the Masters. There's definitely a proven strategy for betting on golf. Get to know the courses before you head out to Vegas and which players match up nicely with said course. This way, not only can you bet on certain favorites to win the tournament, but take head-to-head matchups as well. For the most popular events, make sure to book your bets well in advance of the first tee time. The sports books get awfully cramped right before the start of an event.

The Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open takes place every October at Tournament Players Club Summerlin. It's one of the hottest events every year on the PGA Tour because of the abundance of charity and celebrity. The Pro-Am tournament takes place early in the week, with the 2008 guest list including George Lopez, Amanda Beard and members of N*Sync, among others. You can also enjoy practice rounds from the pros, who take to the tee box at a course that has been ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses in the country. If you plan your trip to the event early enough, you can be more than just a spectator. Volunteer information is available on its website (see Resources below).